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Poster: Mr.Charlie74 Date: Apr 30, 2018 2:22pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

About 12 years ago, an Archive user made this same list, and I read it. Now, while it is a great list, I feel like my opinions may differ. In addition, I am not an old Dead Head, or a member of the 4-decade club. In fact, I never saw a show, seeing as I was born in 2001. So, if you want to think, "Ah, this kid doesn't know what he's talking about," I take no offense. But if you do want to continue, let's get started. *To clairfy: This is my list. However, there are some overlaps (duh). 1. 09-21-72, The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA The last of the Dick's Picks, but the best of their shows. Now, before you leave because I didn't say Veneta or Cornell, hear me out. While both of those are definitely on this list, this one is better. In addition to being a longer show (even though it's only 2 sets and Veneta is 3), they contain similar setlists (Promised Land, Dark Star, China > Rider, Bird Song, etc,) and they just flat-out outplay themselves in the Spectrum, with some of the best versions of Loser, Playin', Mississippi 1/2 Step, and Sat. Night, in addition to (in my opinion) the best-ever Dark Star. Oh, and it plays into Morning Dew. If you haven't hear it yet, you're welcome. 2. 05-08-77, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY So happy you decided to stick around! Since you did, let's continue. I think that Cornell speaks for itself. I'm not going to say much about it, because you've already heard everything about it. (Scarlet > Fire, Dead, Dancin', St. Stephen > NFA > St. Stephen > Dew). But let me say this: This show is NOT by any means overrated. If you haven't heard it yet for whatever reason, give it a listen. 3. 02-27-69, Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA I don't think you can possibly make a top 10 Grateful Dead show list without including a show from this 4-night Fillmore West stand from Feb. 27 to March 2 in '69. While anyone of these shows could be where this one is, I would pick this one. With great versions of the Other One, School Girl, and Cosmic Charlie, it includes the greatest version of St. Stephen that was released 4 different times. In the by-and-by (pun intended), this is best of this early '69 stand, and it definitely belongs on this list. 4. 05-02-70, Harpur College, Binghamton, NY A Dead Head favorite, this one belongs on here for sure. In fact, in a 1993 Tapers Poll, this show ranked #2, behind only Cornell. An acoustic first set includes a slow, mellow, I Know You Rider, in addition to great versions of Friend of the Devil, Dire Wolf, and Candyman. Also, the 2nd and 3rd sets are just as good, with highlights that include St. Stephen, the Other One, Cold Rain and Snow, and Viola Lee. Five out of five. 5. 08-27-72, Veneta, OR Now we get to Veneta, and I'm sure that some of you want to kick me for putting it this low (It's 5 out of 2,300+, get over it). Like Cornell, it's hard to write about, all has been said about this show. Greats include Promised Land, China > Rider, Playin' Sat. Night, as well as arguably the greatest Dark Star, which they play into El Paso ("They went from Pluto to El Paso" ~ some guy on YouTube). Arguably #1, but easily top 5. 6. 07-07-89, JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA Easily the most controversial of these 10. However, of the 3,600 months, and July 1989 was one of the best, and I personally believe that this is the best July '89. They are at their peak with Brent at this show, and play great versions of Scarlet > Fire, Loser, Ramble on Rose, Estimated Prophet, and a passable version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door. All and all, the best show of 1989, which is saying something. 7. 05-26-72, The Strand Lyceum, London, England The Dead certainly saved the best for last in the case of Europe '72. To start, they play a 17 song first set, which includes Promised Land, Sugaree, Mr. Charlie, Loser, Dire Wolf, and NFA > GDTRFB > NFA. The second set is even better, with Truckin', The Other One, THE Morning Dew (Europe '72 version, and the best one ever), The Other One, and Sing Me Back Home, all in that order, and all without stopping. To end it, they come out and do a QUINTUPLE encore (5 songs) of Me & My Uncle, Ramble on Rose, Sugar Mag, Casey Jones, and Sat. Night. Enough said. 8. 12-31-78, Winterlad Arena, San Francisco, CA The Farewell to Winterland. The Dead come out firing, with Sugar Mag > Scarlet > Fire. They do a full-on 3 sets, with highlights that include Me & My Uncle > Big River, Ramble on Rose, Playin', Terrapin, Dark Star, and a triple encore of Casey Jones, Johnny B. Goode, and And We Bid You Goodnight, the fitting way to bid goodnight to WInterland. An A+ setlist for an A+ show. 9. 11-08-69, Fillmore Theater, San Francisco, CA One of the best shows from 1969, and supposedly one of Latvala's favorites (when he died, Dick's Picks 16 was this show in his honor). A fantastic show, and the Dead come out guns blazing with School Girl, Casey Jones, and a very early China > Rider in the first set. The second set includes one of the greatest Dark Star sequences ever (DS > TO1 > DS > Uncle John's Band Jam > DS). They just have the time of their lives, and after multiple listens, you'll get why its one of Dick's favorites. 10. 12-06-73, Cleveland Public Hall, Cleveland, OH Closing out the list with this '73 gem. A great first set followed by an even better second set. While I may be a bit of a "homer" (I live in Cleveland, ya know), that shouldn't take away from the greatness of this show. They play a first set that blows the roof off, with highlights of Bertha, Row Jimmy, El Paso, China > Rider, and Deal. The second set, however, is insanity. After Big River, about 4 songs in, they open to a Dark Star, and take Public Hall onto a 44 minute voyage into Parts Unknown. The Dark Star, in particular, is one of the best ever, and the second-longest the Dead ever played. They then end the show with Sugar Mag. One of my personal favorites, and an absolutely amazing show. 11. 06-26-74, Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI I'm making this edit because why not bend the rules in typical Dead fashion. This 1974 Wall of Sound gem features a fantastic first set, with Scarlet Begonias, Brown Eyed Women, Row Jimmy, and Deal. They then take a break and proceed to play my favorite second set ever. After U.S. Blues and Me & My Uncle, they then play my all-time favorite piece of music I've ever heard them play when Jerry start the China Cat intro, then goes off into Space before Bobby brings him back. In addition to that China > Rider, they play my favorite version of Truckin' to start a segue of Truckin' > The Other One > Spanish Jam > Waft Rat > Sugar Mag., before an encore of Eyes. While Donna sounds the worst I've ever heard her sound, that doesn't take away from this show's greatness. --Honorable Mentions - I felt like I needed to add a few more, by Dead Head standards, that is. Here they are. (chronological order) 01-17-68, 02-23-68, 03-02-69, 02-11-70, 02-13-70, 02-14-70, 03-18-71, 04-08-72, 05-13-72, 02-09-73, 06-10-73, 11-17-73, 08-13-75, 05-07-77, 05-09-77, 12-27-77, 07-08-78, 05-16-80, 10-06-80, 12-16-86, 07-04-87, 07-17-89, 03-29-90, 09-06-91. --Runs of Shows - In addition to adding #11, I'm adding certain runs of shows throughout their 30 year career. 2/27 - 3/2/1969, 2/11 - 2/14/1970, Europe and Sept. - Oct. - 1972, 11/09 - 11/11/1973, May - July, 1974, 10/16 - 10/20/1974, July 1976, Spring 1977, 06/07 - 06/09/1977, 12/27 - 12/31/77, 07/01 - 07/08/1978, 3-Set acoustic shows in 1980, 12/15 - 12/17/86, Dylan and the Dead in July 1987, July 1989 (Everything), March 1990, Sept. 1991. If you made it this far, voice your opinions below. I'd love to know what true Dead Heads think. Thanks, and hope you enjoyed!
This post was modified by mperez19 on 2018-04-30 21:22:32

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Poster: David Beckwith Date: Apr 30, 2018 6:32pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

First, I think this is a very good list in terms of all time / classic shows.

Secondly, I love that you have strong feelings for Summer 89 as do I. The band’s most underrated tour IMO.

Third, at age 17 keep up the good work! You’re onto something.

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Poster: William Tell Date: Apr 30, 2018 1:59pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

FYI, here are the couple of posts that come up on a search for top ten all time, strangely, both are v truncated though many of "us" were here at the time:

https://archive.org/post/116616/top-10-shows

https://archive.org/post/175481/top-ten

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Poster: SomeDarkHollow Date: Apr 30, 2018 3:02pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

How about one of yours?

A thread within a thread.

https://archive.org/post/1052943/in-honor-of-cliff-top-tens

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Poster: William Tell Date: Apr 30, 2018 3:12pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

Good catch; leave it to me to leave myself out in the cold...note: the ref's to Mrs Tell are actually amusing for ME to read this many yrs later...it seems like she's Debra on the Raymond show, and I am playing the role of "idiot!" (which I do naturally).

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Poster: stratocaster Date: May 1, 2018 12:51pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

that was my thread, posted in 2005 on etree before the big stink about too much dead on etree

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Poster: William Tell Date: May 1, 2018 2:48pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

I knew you were involved, strat; I just couldn't find it via my stoopid search terms selection, and I erred in trusting the 12 yr cut off...

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Poster: craven714 Date: May 1, 2018 9:18pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

What is The last 10 that you have listened to, or the next 10 you are going to for two hundred Alex?

If the string moves, it’s gonna be windy

Oh. Duh it’s D). all of the above. And below

Attachment: 9B0DA315-5F0C-421F-8C72-C392F41AA5AA.jpeg

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Poster: fondo213 Date: May 1, 2018 9:29pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

May I suggest 11-2-69
Dark Star thru Death Don't is mighty spirited.
Also 213 is not allowed to be included as an "also ran".
Must be in the meat of the list.
It's like, a law, or something.

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Poster: William Tell Date: Apr 30, 2018 6:09am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

Not bad; just to clarify, is this the same list or modified? IE, the 12 old version or yours?

Only a few observations--big on 70s (most would agree), light on 68 (I'd differ). For me, great shows are not about "every tune was the best" or even "I listen to the entire show all the way through" (I rarely do in fact listen to the entire show, and I know that my fav tunes done live might come from many different shows if I thought about it hard enough). For me, a great show has some sequence, perhaps only 10-20 min (maybe 50 min) of such intensity that I've played THAT portion for many people many times to make plain the DEAD are amazing.

If forced to, meaning there's only room for a few pre 70 shows, I'd even take out the current early era shows and swap in 6/14/68, 10/12/68, 12/29/68, and then 9/19/70 is a must. These have all been talked about so much I won't bother to repost, but those are my go tos...

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Poster: jerlouvis Date: Apr 30, 2018 6:45am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

If that is your commentary on the shows then I would say for a 17 year old you display a lot more knowledge than some of the 4 decade club you mentioned.Your only drawback is the amount of listening you have been able to do since you are so young.In no way is that a slight,but simply the more you listen the more you know.What's funny about these lists and peoples opinions are that probably 80 percent of the people commenting haven't heard all of the catalog they are so freely offering definitive commentary on!

As usual Mr. Tell makes some astute points as far as show content and how folks listen.He also mentions 3 shows I will have in my choices.

First let's dispense with this ridiculous notion of "best" anything as that is a small minded way to look at such a diverse and complex body of work.Essential can work to a certain degree,but I don't see using the complete show as a model as being a very efficient way to use your time.However for purposes of this list I will pick some shows from each year based on the number of very good performances contained in said show.It will also only include shows with strong sections of the jammier improv material.

-68-
10-12 11-1 12-7 12-29

-69-
3-2 6-7 strong Dark Star 8-3 guest sax and el. violin

-70-
2-11 4-15 9-19 10 -11 strong Dark Star

-71-
7-2 8-14 11-7 12-5

-72-
9-15 9-21 9-24 strong Dark Star 11-19
5 December shows were all killer

-73-
2-15 3-28 9-7 12-6

-74-
5-19 5-21 8-6 9-18

-75-
8-13

-76-
6-19 sublime High Time 8-4 10-10

-77-
5-9 5-18 6-8 9-3

-78-
4-16 4-22 9-2 12-16

-79-
1-10 10-27 10-28

-21 performances at their peak playing abilities-
Some are contained in above mentioned shows

6-7-69 Dark Star
8-3-69 Dark Star O1 w/sax and violin
2-11-70 Lovelight w/guests
5-18-72 Dark Star
5-26-72 outro of Truckin'/prelude to Dew
9-15-72 The Other One
9-24-72 Dark Star
9-28-72 The Other One
11-15-72 PITB
11-18-72 PITB
12-10-72 The Other One
3-28-73 Dark Star
6-26-73 The Other One
9-7-73 PITB
11-23-73 The Other One
12-6-73 Here Comes Sunshine Dark Star
6-8-74 PITB
6-20-74 Eyes of the World
9-18-74 Caution jam
6-19-76 High Time
5-9-77 Comes a Time

Just to have something from the 80's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAA1rWy9FOc

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Poster: SomeDarkHollow Date: Apr 30, 2018 8:23am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

OK, first off let's start with this:
I'd love to know what true Dead Heads think.

1. You're here.
2. You know good music when you hear it.
3. 1 + 2 make you as much of a Head as anyone here

Second, to address WT's input (as unwelcome as it may typically be), his statement "For me, a great show has some sequence, perhaps only 10-20 min (maybe 50 min) of such intensity that I've played THAT portion for many people many times to make plain the DEAD are amazing" really hits the nail on the Head (for me at least). I think we've all got those go to shows and the specific stretches in them that we always play for our significant other and say "See! That's why I listen to this stuff so much! Isn't it incredible?" At which point we are almost always met with a generous amount of eye-rolling and a hearty "God, why am I still with this man-boy?" shrug before they turn and walk out of the room, leaving the air filled with disappointment and resignation.

Or is that just me?

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Poster: HankAndLeeStamper Date: Apr 30, 2018 11:05am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: The 10 Essential / Best Grateful Dead Shows

I know a taper around these parts who thinks some good things happened in June 73 up around the DC area.......